Cereplast boosts algae content in bioplastic

By: Michael Lauzon

May 8, 2013

Cereplast Inc. has incorporated a high level of algae biomass in a new polypropylene resin.

The El Segundo, Calif., firm said its Biopropylene A150D is an injection molding grade with 51 percent post-industrial algae biomass. Cereplast said the new resin will be available in the second quarter of 2013.

“We consider this new grade to be an important milestone in our quest for new polymers,” states Cereplast Chairman and CEO Frederic Scheer in a news release.

Cereplast claims the polymer has low odor due to the discovery of new technology. The material’s color is a medium to dark green and can be pigmented to a darker green, dark brown or black. It processes to a matte or shiny surface based on the mold surface and process conditions. The company claims it is processable on conventional machinery and is well suited to thin-wall applications.

Cereplast subsidiary Algaeplast developed the polymer to reduce the plastic’s carbon footprint. It predicts it will be able to make polymers with 100 percent algae content within three years.